University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin has underscored the vital role of institutions in promoting inclusivity and addressing the challenges faced by displaced populations.
Speaking at a panel discussion hosted by UG’s International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR), HIAS Guyana and Least of These Foundation, Mohamed reflected on past experiences in Guyana, recounting the profound impact of displacement on vulnerable communities, particularly women and children.
She recalled that in 2018, she witnessed firsthand the plight of displaced individuals at Khan’s Hill, Mabaruma and stressed the urgent need for legal frameworks and humanitarian responses to protect and support these populations. She highlighted efforts at UG to engage in initiatives such as forensic art programmes, aimed at aiding missing children who arrive with non-family members, emphasizing the importance of protecting the most vulnerable.